Its been awhile, and great to be back.
Over the last week I have seen some interesting things in the world of golf and hockey. Rory Mcllroy in last week’s tournament made 27 birdies in 72 holes of play and only finished at minus nine for the tournament. Every week he seems to self destruct by making bad decisions and then gives his fans a little run near the end of the tournament to give them hope. This guy is as physically talented as they come , but his decision making needs improvement. IMO he needs to treat every decision as if it were a bet. Actually, putting a probability on the result. For example his decision to hit driver on number 12 at TPC Sawgrass , a drive-able par four on Friday afternoon after making bogey on the par five eleventh was bad. I do not know the percentage of players who attempted to hit that green but if it was 20 percent hit it, that means 80 percent failed. If he was playing cards, he would have folded his hand and played another day. Rory hits driver, hooks it into the hazard and makes double. Three shots in two holes blown. Shoots one over 73. It just seems lately that he is never playing from a position of strength. There is a saying in golf ” you do not win the tournament on Friday, but you can lose it”. That describes him perfectly. BTW he finished 11 shots back.
With the Masters coming up in a few weeks, the only major he needs to complete the grand slam his decision making will be put to the test. We will see if he has learned or will he continue to compound errors.
As for the Ottawa Senators, who have been playing some acceptable hockey lately, however they absolutely regressed in the third period against Carolina. Down one going into the third against a Stanley Cup contender, they had a total melt down and gave up four goals. According to Head Coach Jacques Martin ” we self destructed “. They changed their process that got them some success. A process can not be changed, but adjustments can be made. They changed the process. Secondly, a process is based on strengths, and they had an opportunity to improve those strengths and they failed. Another lost opportunity. Third, it showed how mentally weak they are because they did not believe in the process in a competitive situation, even though it worked in the previous three games. Fourth, a great process involves everyone just not those in the spotlight. They had star players who tried to do it themselves and brought everyone down with them. Five, a great process requires commitment and they did not have the courage to stay with it. Finally, they needed to play for a cause bigger than themselves. It is called THE TEAM. Not just the 20 players, but Coaches, Trainers, Equipment staff. They are part of this, even though they do not play. This team has talented players, but they are not the right players going forward.
Thanks to Dr. Bhrett McCabe for once again educating me on how and what a process is. Just wish I knew this stuff 40 years ago.
Update: Sens gave up another three goals in the third tonight against Boston. Outscored 7-0 in the last two third periods.
Until next time!
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Opinions are my own.
Between The Ears 